Any Must Haves?

[fidcastro]

So my wife's family is from Amsterdam, and I am finally going over there to meet them. Since I have to go through the process of meeting in-laws, I decided to book a condo for a week in Belgium to try as many beers there as I can. I plan on starting with Hoegaarden, as I have loved that beer for several years. My problem is... I don't know where to go from there.

I found out that there are no Trappist breweries that actually offer tours to the public, so there goes that dream. But any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Fid

[malarkey]

oh my god, where to start? I am not an expert by any means, but I do know a couple people who could point you in the right direction. Where in Belgium will you be staying?

There are many, many beers in Belgium you can't get here, and that's probably where I would concentrate my search. Other than that, you probably should try Cantillon, and Boon.

You could also research up on http://www.dma.be/p/bier/beer.htm The Benelux Beer Guide, with a gigantic listing of Belgian beers. The site has a strange organization, but if you look around, you will be rewarded ;-) because he does have a lot of information there.

There's also this site, which I think is pretty great because it has a travel guide ;-) http://www.belgianstyle.com/mmguide/locate/locate01.html

Unfortunately it looks like Dave Brockington's Tasting Notes page is down or gone, but he was living in Belgium (or somewhere close by) for awhile and I'm sure he was constantly on the beer tasting trail.

That's a start anyway... I wish I could go :-/ don't forget to have frites with that beer...

[rabidbeerjunkie]

GO TO THE KULMINATOR IN ANTWERP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We had '82 Thomas Hardy's, '82 Chimay Blue, '79 Cantillon Framboise, '82 Gale's Prize Old Ale, '83 Courage Russian Imperial Stout, and so on.
Also, Bier Circus in Brussels is a must.
Go to In De Wildeman, in Amsterdam. Say HI to Simon(bartender-tall fellow w/ curly hair....took labels off of bottles for me using hot water...for souvenirs).
Also, go to (Arendt's(?)) Eagle's Nest in Amsterdam. All Dutch beers. FANTASTIC. Say HI to Marcel...he's also the head brewer for Arend beers. He helped us get in contact with Michel Ordeman of Jopen Brewery, Haarlem, Holland...Beers you have got to try, esp. the Jopen Koyt.
I was there in early October. These places and these people were wonderful. Hope this gets to you in time.
Later,
Todd

[Theakston]

More a "must do" but if you are in Brussels, you must visit the Brewery / Museum of Cantillon. This is a working lambic brewery. The contrast to how other breweries operate is fascinating and the end product is delicious (and of course a sample is included in the tour).

[Boto]

There is a shop in Antwerp that has about every beer make in Belgium, plus the proper glassware. It is in the center of town in the walking/shopping area across from the HUGE church. A little more expensive than other stores, but they have got it all!

[bierman2000]

Must haves if you bet to Brugges go to T'Beerje and enjoy. or DeGarre and have their Abbey Triple. If you can get to Westvlteren in West Flanders visit the pub across from the brewery. Westmalle and Duvel are also must as well as Maredsous. Just too many to really list.

[matt]

I would say you have to drink some Kwak, a delicious beer and very rare in this country, but the glass is just a hoot to drink out of. The glass itself looks a little like a yard glass, but with a round bottom, it requires a wooden stand to stay upright.

[Otis_The_Drunk]

a Must have would be St. Sabastiaan

This beer comes in a 1 liter Crock (stone ware) bottle and is a wonderful example of a trappist monistary ale.

[fidcastro]

Thanks for the advice, Otis. this is actually a really old thread. I have been to Belgium and the Netherlands twice since I first posted this, and on both trips combined I was able to sample over 150 different beers. I never had the St. Sabastiaan, though, so next summer I'll look it up.

Having in-laws in Amsterdam definately has its benefits.

[Otis_The_Drunk]

Interesting that you live in Clairmont Ca. I am the founder of the Local Homebrew club in that Area... the Name is SUDZ (Some of Upland's Diversified Zymergist) but alas I have moved to Texas.

last I heard the club no longer meets at fun fermentations (wally sold the store) and the Brittish Bull Dog.

[fidcastro]

I don't belong to any clubs, but I do homebrew. I lived in Claremont from '95 to '99, and I remember Wally from Liquorama. Is that the Wally you are referring to? That was back when Liquorama was actually a good store for beer. I moved back in '02. Now I wouldn't recommend them to an enemy. For wine, sure. For beer, HELL NO! They don't take care of any of their stock, and their beer "expert" is a moron.

Anyway... Claremont isn't actually all that bad. If you moved 6 years ago, you missed the opening of Heroes (48 beers on tap) and of course Tequila Hoppers which just opened this year. Did you ever make it out to Beer Hunter in Rancho?

-Fid